"He won't," Gabriel snaps. "Don't even think it."

He can almost hear Mal Reynolds' voice ringing in his ears, over a series of conversations.

Simon 'n River live under my protection.

Here's how it is. They been livin' on my boat...I consider 'em both my friends 'n more.

When you love somethin', you go to the ends o' the ruttin' 'verse to protect it.

There is not a hint of doubt in his voice when he says,

"He'd die first."

Right now, Gabriel Tam is counting on that.